Abstract: A rotating media storage device (RMSD) that adaptively modifies pre-read operations is disclosed. The RMSD schedules a pre-read data segment on a second track of disk, commands a movable head to seek to the second track, and if an on-track condition is not met for the scheduled pre-read data segment, modifies the pre-read operation. In one example, modifying the pre-read operation includes canceling the pre-read operation and then performing a read data operation.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, and a head actuated over the disk. Control circuitry within the disk drive is operable to write a plurality of code segments to a primary area of the disk, and write the code segments to a backup area of the disk. The control circuitry reads the code segments from the primary area of the disk and executes the code segments read from the primary area of the disk. After reading the code segments from the primary area of the disk and executing the code segments, the control circuitry verifies recoverability of the code segments from the backup area of the disk, and when the verification fails, copies the code segments from the primary area of the disk to the backup area of the disk.

Abstract: A method of fabricating disk drives. The method includes providing disk drives based upon a first disk drive configuration. The first disk drive configuration includes an operable disk drive including a disk drive base with an exterior bottom side, and a first weight plate attached to the exterior bottom side of the disk drive base. The method further includes providing disk drives based upon a second disk drive configuration. The second disk drive configuration includes the operable disk drive, and a second weight plate attached to the exterior bottom side of the disk drive base. The second weight plate has a mass different than a mass of the first weight plate. In another embodiment, the second disk drive configuration includes the disk drive base being exposed without any weight plated attached. Another aspect of the invention includes a disk drive with a weight plate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating disk drives. The method includes providing disk drives based upon a first disk drive configuration. The first disk drive configuration includes an operable disk drive including a disk drive base with an exterior bottom side, and a first weight plate attached to the exterior bottom side of the disk drive base. The method further includes providing disk drives based upon a second disk drive configuration. The second disk drive configuration includes the operable disk drive, and a second weight plate attached to the exterior bottom side of the disk drive base. The second weight plate has a mass different than a mass of the first weight plate. In another embodiment, the second disk drive configuration includes the disk drive base being exposed without any weight plated attached. Another aspect of the invention includes a disk drive with a weight plate.

Abstract: A spindle motor includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, a hub, a bearing assembly disposed between the hub and the shaft for allowing the hub to rotate, and a stator. The stator includes an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a stator tooth having a distal end, and a coil wound around the stator tooth. The stator tooth has a lower surface extending between the coil and the distal end of the stator tooth. The spindle motor includes a stator support structure supporting one of the inner and outer diameters, the stator support structure having an upper surface facing the lower surface, wherein at least one of the upper surface of the stator support structure and the lower surface of the stator tooth defines a cavity.

Abstract: A printed circuit board on which multiple component-dedicated alignment line indicators including parallel lines may be used to facilitate the evaluation and segregation process during the production of printed circuit board assemblies based on the alignment characteristics of mounted disk drive electrical components with respect to these parallel lines. Each electrical component defines a perimeter with edges defining a first and second lateral distances and corners defining a diagonal distance. The alignment line indicators include first and second inner line segments spaced apart a first inner spacing at least the first lateral distance and less than the diagonal distance. The alignment line indicators include third and fourth inner line segments spaced apart at least the second lateral distance and less than the diagonal distance. The alignment line indicators include first and second outer line segments spaced apart more than the first inner spacing and less than the diagonal distance.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk having a plurality of data tracks, wherein each data track comprises a plurality of data sectors, and a head is actuated over the disk. A suspect sector list (SSL) stores a plurality of SSL entries, wherein each SSL entry identifies at least one suspect data sector. The disk drive further comprises a disk controller for executing an access command received from a host computer to access at least one of the data sectors. If an error is detected while executing the access command, the disk controller generates an SSL entry having a priority level selected from at least three priority levels and adds the SSL entry to the SSL. A verification operation is executed for each suspect data sector identified by each SSL entry, wherein the SSL entries are processed relative to the priority level assigned to each SSL entry.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied in a method for operating a disk drive in a mobile device to optimize power usage based on an application category. The mobile device may be a hand held computing device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a mobile terminal such as a cellular telephone. A technique of the invention may spin down the disk drive after an adjustable delay time interval that is set based on an application category associated with a most recent data transfer command.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied in a disk drive for use in a mobile device. The mobile device may be a hand held computing device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a mobile terminal such as a cellular telephone. The mobile device includes a host processor for accessing data on the disk drive. The disk drive has a rotating disk media and a moveable read/write head disposed over the disk media. The disk media is divided into a first data storage zone and a second data storage zone. The data storage zones are radially disposed in discrete areas of the disk media and each zone has a plurality of tracks for storing data. The mobile device may read data from the first data storage zone when the mobile device is in a mobile environment. The mobile device may read data from the second data storage zone only when the mobile device is in a non-mobile environment and may not read data from the second data storage zone when the mobile device is in a mobile environment.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed for optimizing write current settings relative to drive operating characteristics and an ambient temperature reading. Test data is written to and read from the disk using different write current settings to generate a plurality of corresponding quality metrics. The quality metrics are evaluated to generate an optimized write current setting for the ambient temperature reading. In one embodiment, the first write current setting is selected relative to a previously optimized write current setting that corresponds to the ambient temperature reading. This embodiment expedites the optimization process by testing write current settings surrounding a previous write current setting rather than testing the entire range of write current settings.

Abstract: A rotating media storage device (RMSD) to adaptively estimate a read access time to a second track based on the radial position of the second track is disclosed. The RMSD includes a disk having at least a first track and a second track and a microprocessor for controlling operations in the RMSD including seek operations. During a seek operation, the microprocessor bins a radial position of the second track and estimates a read access time to the second track based on the binned radial position of the second track.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention can be regarded as a disk drive that includes a disk drive base and a spindle motor hub rotatably coupled to the disk drive base. The disk drive further includes a first disk disposed about the spindle motor hub and having a first disk stiffness. The disk drive further includes a second disk disposed about the spindle motor hub and having a second disk stiffness different than the first disk stiffness. According to another aspect of the present invention, the second disk has a second disk thickness different than a first disk thickness. According to another aspect of the present invention, the second disk is formed of a second material having a second material stiffness different than a first material stiffness.

Abstract: A method for reducing a servo channel head gain calibration time comprising initiating a servo channel head gain calibration process for a head corresponding to the selected disk surface; obtaining a head gain calibration value for a pre-selected zone in the selected disk surface; comparing the obtained calibration value with a pre-stored calibration value for the pre-selected zone and generating a comparison result; and stopping the calibration process for the head if the comparison result does not exceed a threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disk drive and related method for improved disk rotation rate control in the presence of seek operations. A spindle motor rotates a spindle, supporting at least one disk with a magnetic recording surface, in response to a motor current. The actuator radially positions a transducer head over the recording surface. The motor is subjected to a torque load component related to the transducer head radial position. The spindle motor controller has a feedback control loop and a feedforward control element. The feedback control loop maintains a relatively constant spindle rotation rate based on a difference error between a predetermined target spindle rotation rate parameter and a measured spindle rotation rate parameter. The feedforward control element, in conjunction with a seek operation, adjusts the motor current based on a target head radial position with respect to an initial head radial position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disk drive and a disk drive where the width of the read element and the width of the write element are both measured at servo-writing time and the track pitch of the disk drive is set on the basis of those measurements. Disk drives with superior head width combinations are servo-written with a narrower track pitch in order to have a higher storage capacity. Disk drives with inferior head width combinations are detected before servo-writing so that the disk drive may be servo-written with wider track pitch rather than with a nominal track pitch that results in a subsequent drive failure during initial burn-in (IBI). The heads are used more efficiently in that heads that are more capable are used to their ability and less capable heads that would otherwise be disposed of are used at all.

Abstract: A disk drive includes an enclosure, a rotatable disk and an actuator arm, and also includes a plurality of arcuate channels. Airflow is created within the enclosure when the disk rotates. The plurality of arcuate channels facing the disk to decrease the turbulence of the airflow with respect to the actuator arm. The arcuate channels are formed on at least one portion of the enclosure.

Abstract: A disk drive comprising a first sensor mounted on a nominally stationary portion of the disk drive and adapted to detect acceleration disturbances of the disk drive. The disk drive further comprising: a dual-function subsystem having a first circuit adapted to provide a write-inhibit signal and a second circuit adapted to provide a feed-forward basis signal, the dual-function subsystem adapted to receive a first sensor signal from the first sensor and to provide (a) the write-inhibit signal based on the received first sensor signal and a first threshold value, and (b) the feed-forward basis signal based on the received first sensor signal.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for use with a data storage component that includes a base platform and a retaining element coupled to the base platform. The retaining element is sized and configured to retain the data storage component. The retaining element is linearly movable relative to the base platform during a linear acceleration mode without substantial rotational movement. The retaining element is rotationally movable relative to the base platform without substantial linear movement during a rotational acceleration mode. The testing apparatus further includes an actuator disposable in mechanical communication with the retaining element for moving the retaining element relative to the base platform.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed for optimizing write current settings relative to drive operating characteristics and a plurality of ambient temperature readings. Test data is written to and read from the disk to generate quality metrics that are evaluated to generate an optimized write current setting for each ambient temperature reading. In one embodiment, the optimized write current settings are derived during manufacturing and used in-the-field during normal operation. In another embodiment, the optimized write current settings are re-optimized in-the-field to compensate for changes in the drive operating characteristics that occur over time (e.g., environmental changes and electrical and mechanical changes).

Abstract: A spindle motor in a disk drive is driven by a driving circuit that, upon receipt of a signal or command, selectively spins up the spindle motor according to a first spin up profile or according to a second spin up profile that is defined to provide a longer spin up time in comparison with the spin up time defined by the first spin up profile. The second spin up profile spins up the spindle motor in a longer period of time and/or generates less acoustic noise as compared to the first spin up profile.